The Emerald King

The air in the room was deathly still. Gala and her advisors sat silently, taking in what Don had told them transpired just hours earlier. Kulg, Gala’s own brother, a power-hungry tyrant, The death of the other Zruhk lords, and the truth behind the emeralds, a very sickening truth to take in.

“I’m glad that damned gem was taken from me when I was captured,” Gala said coldly. “Else I might have ended up like my brother.”

“What do you want to do with this information?” Don asked.

Gala said nothing for a time, clearly still trying to grasp the situation.

“We have allies in the Riverlands,” she said. “We had allies in the other Zruhk lords. Then again, maybe not. If what my brother said is true and they planned treachery.

“Is there truly nobody else?” Don asked, hoping for the answer he sought.

“The mountain clans keep to themselves, and while we’re not enemies to the necromancers to the east, I couldn’t exactly say were allies.”

“And there are no other clans?”

“There are orcs, far to the northeast, on whale island. They may help, they easily have the greatest navy. The problem is its several days’ travel by boat, and that doesn’t account for land travel. I’m not sure time is on our side.”

“What of your homeland, Donald?” Gorram asked, in between blowing smoke rings with his pipe. “Surely you could send word for reinforcements?”

“Unlikely, they know little to nothing about this land. We came here because of our lords searching for resources to increase their own wealth. The king had no desire to take part. Hell, I can’t even remember how we managed to make it here. The last I remember we had left Porhtal village and then... well, we were attacking our first village.”

“That is rather strange,” Gala said.

“Your old age turn your brain to mush, Donald?” Gorram mocked.

“The hell it is!” Don said stubbornly. “A lot happened in the last couple of months, and I’ve been plenty drunk and banged around since then.”

“I have some friends from the mountains,” Yeera said ignoring the two of them, “I could speak with them, they’ll more than likely be willing to help. Although, I doubt it would be an army.”

“I’ll go to whale island,” Voor said as well. “It may take a while, but I’ve known chief Karrhig since I was a pup. I know he and chief Glasha would be more than happy to help.”

“Then I will go to Gulmar Gron. I’m not as familiar with him as I am with Grava, but his city is the closest to our borders. I’ll go there and seek an audience.”

As soon as Gala finished speaking a large hawk flew in from the window on the far wall of her war room. It had a roll of parchment tied to its leg, stained with what looked like dried blood. Gorram quickly got up from his seat, untying the note and opening it. His face had gone as pale as Dom figured someone with green skin could.

“Moraga sends word from Geel Zruhk…” he said, his voice solemn and cold. “The orcs of that city attacked her as soon as she arrived.”

“Read it to us, Gorram,” Gala said softly, her face grim.

I have arrived at Geel Zruhk, lord Gala. I was greeted by no one, and the gates were wide open. The city seemed a ghost town. I was suddenly attacked by a mob when I reached Geel’s manor. I’m afraid, this will be my final message. There are no children, only crazed orcs with eyes of blue flame. I’ve managed to barricade myself in Geel’s quarters. If no word reaches you from the other couriers, assume the worst. I don’t know how this happened. I’m sorry I can’t give more information. I was stabbed through with a pitchfork when I tried to escape. I don’t have long left. Lord Gala, please, stay away from the other Zruhk cities. Save yourselves.

The room was silent save for the occasional flapping of the hawk’s wings. When Don looked to Gala, he could see glassy eyes fighting to hold back tears.

“Gala,” Don said as gently as he could, for fear of setting her off.

There was silence. The atmosphere in the room was suffocating as the sun began to set. The shadow cast by the waning light was nothing compared to the ones cast by the message. This was something Don had never heard of before. In all his life, he had never heard of magic that could take control of another, much less an entire city of people. He had no other choice, he had to send word to the college of mages back home. Otherwise, they may not stand a chance.

“Gala, I will send word back to my home. It won’t be an army but we’re dealing with powers beyond our understanding. If we want to stand a chance, I will need the help of my colleagues.”

“Do what you must,” Gala said coldly. “I will head for Gulmar Gron. Voor, go to Whale Island. Yeera, to the mountains.”

“If I may suggest one more thing.” Don chimed in carefully.

“What is it?” Gala asked, the ice in her voice becoming colder.

Evacuate the city. Send your people to whoever will take them in. If this Gulmar is the closest, then perhaps he can help.”

“I will consider it.”

“Dammit, woman! Don’t consider it, do it!” Don snapped. “If Kulg can control entire cities, then he’ll have control of yours in mere weeks! Maybe even days!”

“WATCH YOUR TONGUE, HUMAN! ELSE I RIP IT FROM YOUR THROAT!” Gorram threatened with a roar.

“It’s alright, Gorram. How soon can your kingdom send troops to aid us?”

“No troops, Gala. Just mages. All of whom are my equal or greater.”

“I’ll take what I can get.”

“One more thing.”

“What?”

“I need a book with blank pages, as well as something to write with.”

“Granted. Now go, all of you, we have work to do. Gorram, I need you to make sure everyone is ready to evacuate within the fortnight. I’m not settled on the idea, but it would be best that we are ready if it comes to it.”

“Yes, lord Gala,” Gorram said, giving a slight bow.

Don went back to his room with the book and quill he requested along with a well of ink. He filled the pages with words of magic, and when he was finished, he closed the book and sat it in the center of the floor of his room. Nara was fast asleep in her bed. For this, he was thankful, as he did not wish to burden her with the stress of what had transpired just yet. All he had to do was pour magical energy into the book and he would be ready for any battle.

He spent the entire night, sitting cross-legged on the floor, meditating. He could feel the mana flow upwards from the earth many stories below. From the trees and plants outside, from the very air he breathed. All flowing through him and out into the book. The minty tingling sensation swept through his very flesh and bones, making him feel distant. It tired him and caused his head to spin, but he persevered. Dawn had crept its light into the room when he finally opened his eyes.

While he had gathered a fair amount of energy, he wanted more, he needed more. Who knew what they would be facing in the future, and he wanted to be as prepared as possible. He got up and stretched his sore limbs. His legs had fallen asleep during his meditation, the uncomfortable prickle reaching across them as he stretched and massaged it. Taking the quill and ink once again and ripping a bit of parchment from the book, he wrote a short note and whispered into it.

The note burst into a small flame that formed into a tiny bird of fire. It’s colors of red, orange and blue licking at the air around it. He let it loose out a nearby window and watched it fly off with great haste.

That should make it back home in about five days, give or take. Let’s hope those old bastards answer in time. With the trail my little bird leaves they should be able to find their way to us.

Don lay down in the gigantic and soft bed across from Nara’s. It was the first time in a while since he had felt this comfortable. He shut his eyes, trying to let himself drift off to sleep, only to be abruptly shaken by Nara. She was standing over him, surprisingly excited to see him.

“Grandpa, grandpa!” she shrieked excitedly. “I want to show you something, get up!”

“Nara, I’ve been up all night,” Don responded groggily. “you can show me later. I have a lot of work to do when I get up.”

“C’mon it’s important!” she said, now pulling on his arm.

Don had not the patience for this, yanking his arm free of her grasp.

“Later I said! I need to rest!”

Nara ground and pouted at his response.

“Fine then!” she said as she stomped out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her. An unlit candle fell from a nearby shelf, but Don was far too tired to bother with it. He stared up at the ceiling for a time as he let his mind relax.

I should never have brought her here. I was a fool. She’s not ready.

The thought lingered in his mind a bit longer, before his dreams took him and he was fast asleep.